"The Stack" 9-29-16
A.J. Green had a monster night with 10 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals beat the Dolphins 22-7 on TNF. The Dolphins had no answer for him.
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
It’s another Football Friday and The Stack is eager to put last week’s atrocious picks behind me. What, 25-23 on the season? Yikes. Not good. 1-0 this week though thanks to the Bengals convincing win over the Dolphins last night. I’m guessing the rest of the week won’t go quite as good, but let’s take a look as we preview and predict who will win in week 4 in “the stack” for today, Friday, September 30th:
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars 9:30 AM ET CBS (London)
The Jaguars play in their annual London game and once again the team stinks. They have been very disappointing, but it’s not like the Colts are that great themselves. Going back to the well one more time in hopes that the Jaguars talent finally comes through.
Prediction: Jaguars 24 Colts 20
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons 1 PM ET FOX
Perhaps the toughest game of the day to pick. Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense have been superb thus far and the Panthers have to be reeling after last week’s defeat against the Vikings, but they will get back to what they do best. That is, play defense and let Cam Newton run a little more. Close game, but I will take the Panthers narrowly.
Prediction: Panthers 27 Falcons 24
Oakland Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens 1 PM ET CBS
Another tough game to pick. The Raiders are 2-0 so far in early kickoff games this season. Their defense hasn’t been spectacular however, but their offense has been just fine. The Ravens are just the opposite. The defense has been great, but the offense has been so-so. I’m a big believer in the Raiders this season so I’ll ride with them to win this one even though that doesn’t seem like the smartest thing to do.
Prediction: Raiders 20 Ravens 16
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears 1 PM ET FOX
How good has Marvin Jones been for the Lions this season? He is not Calvin Johnson by any stretch, but he has certainly become one of Matthew Stafford’s most trusted weapons. Against a Bears team ravaged by injuries, it should be another big day for Jones, Stafford and company.
Prediction: Lions 31 Bears 20
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans 1 PM ET CBS
No J.J. Watt for the Texans. We’ll see how the team responds after losing their leader. It certainly hurts their team, but they are still a better team than the “Smash Mouth” Titans who need to let Marcus Mariota try and air it out a little more.
Prediction: Texans 20 Titans 13
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots 1 PM ET CBS
I learned my lesson last week. No matter if the Patriots start Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, Julian Edelman, Drew Bledsoe or Otto Graham, I am not going to pick against them even if I think Buffalo has a decent shot in this one.
Prediction: Patriots 27 Bills 17
Seattle Seahawks @ New York Jets 1 PM ET FOX
It doesn’t get any easier for Ryan Fitzpatrick who is trying to forget his six pick game last week in Kansas City. The Seahawks defense is really, really good. Don’t know how healthy Russell Wilson will be though. The Jets defense is good and will make life difficult for Wilson. Close low scoring game, but I think the Jets find a way to win this one.
Prediction: Jets 20 Seahawks 16
Cleveland Browns @ Washington 1 PM ET CBS
Hopefully Washington looked at the way Cleveland played last Sunday in Miami and won’t take the Browns lightly. There is a lot of good young talent on that Browns squad, but there is more talent, veteran talent, on Washington. They find a way to get the win even though it may be a little closer than they would like.
Prediction: Washington 30 Cleveland 20
Denver Broncos @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:05 PM ET CBS
Did you see how well Trevor Siemian played against a good Bengals defense on the road last week? The Buccaneers are not that good on defense and Siemian and company will do enough to beat Jameis Winston and the Bucs.
Prediction: Broncos 24 Buccaneers 17
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM ET FOX
Kind of feels like a must win game for the Cardinals. They can’t fall two games back of the Rams for the division lead. Carson Palmer will find his stride and help lead the Cardinals to a much needed win.
Prediction: Cardinals 31 Rams 13
New Orleans Saints @ San Diego Chargers 4:25 PM ET FOX
Don’t know how new that scoreboard in San Diego is, but it will be lighting up in this game. The Chargers are going to put up points a plenty against the bad Saints defense. Philip Rivers must be licking his lips. This will be the last time Drew Brees comes back as an opposing player to San Diego in all likelihood. He’ll leave with a loss.
Prediction: Chargers 38 Saints 24
Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM ET FOX
No Dez Bryant more than likely in this one. That will pose a problem for the Cowboys, but the 49ers offense likely won’t be able to take advantage of the Cowboys defense for the absence of Bryant to matter. Once Colin Kaepernick is healthy enough to start the 49ers have to go with him.
Prediction: Cowboys 23 49ers 17
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:30 PM ET NBC
After the Steelers embarrassing loss last week in Philly, it doesn’t get any easier going against that tremendous Chiefs defense. However, the Steelers get Le’Veon Bell back which will help the offense significantly. They get back on the winning track thanks in large part to Bell.
Prediction: Steelers 27 Chiefs 1 6
Coming up Monday: Reaction to Sunday’s week 4 NFL action plus a MNF preview
Listen to this week's "The Sports Block" podcast here.
